A StarNewsOnline Blog

Your guide to Wilmington's movie and TV production

Still interested in getting into the nearly sold-out “One Tree Hill” convention next month in Wilmington?

EyeCon, organizer of the “Return to Tree Hill” convention, is looking for local volunteers ages 18 or older to work the reunion event March 27-29. Volunteers are needed for the entire weekend, but can work individual days if needed.… Read More »

“One Tree Hill” fans not trekking to Wilmington for March’s convention for the locally filmed series now have a second chance.

EyeCon, the sponsor of the March 27-29 event at the Hilton Riverside and Wilmington Convention Center, has scheduled a second convention for Aug 7-9. Tickets for that convention went on sale noon Monday.

Mirroring the cast lineup scheduled to appear in March, the August convention will see Chad Michael Murray, Hilarie Burton, Lee Norris and Antwon Tanner all return for a second time.… Read More »

Chad Michael Murray, who played Scott on The CW’s locally filmed “One Tree Hill,” has tied the knot with actress Sarah Roemer in a secret ceremony. And according to E! Online, Roemer is pregnant with their first child.

The pair met on the set of the Crackle series “Chosen,” and reportedly began dating in early 2014.… Read More »

Burton, who played Peyton for six seasons on the locally filmed teen drama, will appear Saturday, March 28 for a Q&A, photo ops, autographs, the banquet and the “One Night at Tric” party, featuring musical guest Tyler Hilton.

News of Burton’s appearance will likely incite pandemonium among fans as it will mark the reunion of the actress and costar Chad Michael Murray, whose characters Peyton and Lucas were a fan-favorite couple. The actors exited the series together at the end of season six.… Read More »

When EyeCon’s “One Tree Hill” convention rolls into town in March, it will mark the reunion of at least one fan-favorite couple.

Bevin Prince, the North Carolina native and UNCW alum who played Tree Hill cheerleader Bevin Mirskey, will appear with select members from the teen drama’s cast at the local convention March 27-29. She joins Antwon Tanner, who played Skills, Bevin’s on-again, off-again boyfriend.… Read More »

Matt Barr joined ‘Sleepy Hollow” this week as Nick Hawley, a treasure hunter who crosses paths with Ichabod and Abbie. — Fox photo

The psychotic and the deranged are no strangers to Fox’s locally filmed “Sleepy Hollow.” And in it’s day, the same could be said for a few colorful characters that populated another local production: The CW’s “One Tree Hill.”

Monday, Matt Barr, the actor behind “One Tree Hill’s” clingy stalker known as “Psycho Derek,” made his first appearance in Sleepy Hollow as treasure hunter Nick Hawley, seven years after exiting the teen drama. With his return to Wilmington came memories of his time in Tree Hill.

Derek appeared in seven episodes of the show’s fourth season as the supposed long-lost brother to Peyton (Hilarie Burton). But as their relationship deepened, Derek was exposed as an imposter – his real name was Ian Banks – whose unhealthy fixation with her became violent and unhinged. He famously held her hostage on prom night.

Today, Barr chuckles at the mere mention of “Psycho Derek,” calling him a “fun and crazy character to play.” The role is one to which Barr is forever tied.

“He seems to have left some impression with fans,” he said in August on set of “Sleepy Hollow” at EUE/Screen Gems Studios in Wilmington. “I’ve been in Spain, Switzerland, Eastern Europe. I’ve been all over the world and that show has traveled so far. People still ask me about it and recognize me as Psycho Derek.”

Barr looks back fondly on his time in Wilmington shooting the show and has been jonesing for a return trip ever since.

“I love it here. After I left ‘One Tree Hill,’ I would always tell my agents that they needed to find me another job in Wilmington,” he said. “That was a seven-year perpetual joke until one day it circled back.”

Bringing Barr back to the Port City is “Sleepy Hollow’s” newest resident Nick Hawley, a treasure hunter with the swagger of Indiana Jones and a handy knowledge of supernatural relics.

“He’s a relic hunter. He deals in the black market and is out for a quick buck. He’s a bit righteous but usually does the right thing,” Barr said. “Bouncing town to town, he has created this history with Jenny Mills and that is how we meet him, through her.”

Hawley was introduced in Monday’s episode when Ichabod and Abbie sought out his help to obtain a mysterious coin, forged from the silver Judas was paid to betray Jesus, that can compromise the loyalties of its holder.

His entrance into the unrest in Sleepy Hollow sparks an almost immediate rivalry with Ichabod, whose cultured nature clashes with Hawley’s laid-back attitude.

“Hawley is very much the cowboy, while Crane is the refined British aristocrat,” Barr said. “That causes a fun and funny dynamic between the two of us.”

Ichabod may see it a bit more harshly. In Monday’s episode, he described a growing hatred for Hawley, whose “arrogance is matched only by his annoyance.”

A similar friction will arise between Hawley and Abbie, although their opposition may have a much different outcome.

“He and Abbie are like salt and vinegar, which creates a bit of chemistry,” Barr said, coyly. “You’re always attracted to things that challenge you.”

Whether they like it not, Barr said that Ichabod and Abbie will keep finding reasons to pull Hawley in on the action.

“He becomes part of their Scooby Doo gang,” Barr said. “I think Abbie and Crane would love to get rid of him but they just can’t seem to. They realize they need Hawley.”

That 1940s-set episode of “One Tree Hill” he wrote takes on a whole new meaning now.

Chad Michael Murray, formerly of the locally filmed CW series “One Tree Hill,” is heading back to the past as a series regular on ABC’s new “Agent Carter” series, Marvel.com announced Friday. … Read More »

Matt Barr, who appeared on “One Tree Hill,” has joined the cast of “Sleepy Hollow” as a bounty hunter. — AP photo

An infamous “One Tree Hill” troublemaker is making his way back to the Wilmington television scene.

Matt Barr, who played Peyton’s deadly stalker Derek in season four of the locally filmed drama, has joined the cast of “Sleepy Hollow” in a recurring role.

First reported by TVLine, Barr will play Nick Hawley, a “ruggedly handsome” bounty hunter who’ll lend a hand to Ichabod (Tom Mison) and Abbie (Nicole Beharie) on a supernatural case in the new season, currently in production in Wilmington. Nick is described as having a sense of humor and charisma, but is also a bit of a loner whose education is masked by a rough-and-tumble demeanor.

Barr will recur throughout the season. Could he be the latest love interest for Abbie? Only time will tell.

In addition to his role on ‘One Tree Hill,” Barr is known for appearances in History’s miniseries “Hatfields & McCoys,” “Hellcats,” “Friday Night Lights,” “The Big Bang Theory” and “Harper’s Island.”

“House of Cards'” Sakina Jaffrey has joined the new season of “Sleepy Hollow” as the new sheriff in town. — AP photo

Also joining the show is “House of Cards'” Sakina Jaffrey, who will tackle the major role of Leena Reyes, the new sheriff in Sleepy Hollow.

E! Online reports that Reyes is smart, forceful, highly trained and commanding but also has a warm and maternal side. Following a stint with the U.S. Border Patrol, she will be returning to Sleepy Hollow in lieu of Captain Irving’s (Orlando Jones) arrest in the season finale.

Currently, Jaffrey can be seen as Linda Vasquez, the White House chief of staff on Netflix’s popular drama “House of Cards.” She has also appeared in “Girls” and “Blue Bloods.”

In the thick of television’s pilot season, when networks produce first episodes of potential new series for the upcoming TV year, prominent actors are sought after and snatched up fast in hopes launching the next buzzworthy show.

With Wilmington’s film lineage growing every year, it’s only a matter of time before actors who have visited the Port City in the past get called up for new roles on some of the biggest pilots heading into production.

In the latest edition of our newest column, we are going to rundown the most recent casting additions and let you know where you might see some of the biggest stars in the Wilmington Film Alumni Association come next fall.

Katie Holmes: The “Dawson’s Creek” alum has signed onto star in ABC’s untitled high society drama pilot from Richard LaGravenese, marking her first full-time television gig since the teen drama ended in 2003. On the potential series, Holmes will play Ann, a well-bred and educated woman who runs a philanthropic foundation with her husband. But when Phillip (costar Rufus Sewell, who also visited Wilmington in 2012 to film “Where the Devil Hides”) and his wife, Margot, decide to destroy Ann’s perfect marriage, Ann and Phillip engage in an obsessive and seductive rivalry that plays out through the manipulation of others. Holmes’ character is described as an Audrey Hepburn type.

Mary-Louise Parker: The “Weeds’ alum, who spent last August in the Port City starring in the Hallmark Hall of Fame’s “Christmas in Conway,” has joined NBC’s new half-hour comedy pilot “Feed Me.” She will play Ellen, a slightly OCD mother of two and accountant who is stuck in her ways, which is a challenge for her family — most of whom are in the restaurant business.

Ashley Judd: Since arriving in Wilmington to shoot “Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood” in 2001, Judd has gone on to star in such films as “Olympus Has Fallen” and TV shows like the short-lived ABC drama “Missing.” Hoping to make a TV comeback, Judd has come on board NBC’s provocative drama “Salvation.” Set against the backdrop of a Texas church, the show will follow Judd as Jennifer, a pastor’s wife and mother of two who must defend herself, her family and her faith when her husband dies under mysterious circumstances. A strong woman, Jennifer must face her congregation and step up to the pulpit to fill her husband’s place.

Joshua Jackson: After leaving “Dawson’s Creek” behind and tackling the unknown on Fox’s “Fringe,” Jackson will soon saddle up for a more risque role in Showtime’s “The Affair,” as Cole, a hardened cowboy who runs his family’s ranch on the eastern tip of Long Island. Cole’s wife, Allison (Ruth Wilson), soon begins indulging in the show’s titluar sin with Noah (Dominic West). Showtime has described the show as an steamy exploration of marriage and relationships.

Terrence Howard: In 2006, Howard played the villainous role in the locally filmed Southern musical “Idlewild.” This spring, he will return to the world of music in Fox’s hip-hop drama pilot, “Empire.” From “The Butler” director Lee Daniels and writer Danny Strong, the pilot will be set in the world of hip-hop and follow Lucious Lyon (Howard), the head of a Empire Entertainment who will protect his beloved business by using any means necessary.

Riley Smith: As the lovestruck gardener pining away for Mandy Moore’s affections, Smith held his own against Mary-Louise Parker and Andy Garcia in “Christmas in Conway,” filmed last August in Wilmington. This summer, Smith will join HBO’s veteran vampire drama “True Blood,” for a recurring role in the show’s final season. He will play Keith, a rock drummer who becomes quite taken with Arlene (Carrie Preston).

Robert Buckley: This “One Tree Hill” alum will return to The CW with a lead role in the network’s pilot “iZombie.” From “Veronica Mars” creator Rob Thomas, the pilot will follow a medical student-turned-zombie who uses her job at the coroner’s office to feed her uncontrollable cravings, only to obtain all the memories of her dead dinners. Buckley will play Major, a former college football player-turned-environmental engineer who tries to remain friends with his ex-fiancé.

Elizabeth Hurley as Queen Helena, the matriarch of a fictional British royal family who will do anything to protect her family’s image. Framed by William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet,” the show will showcase both the public perception of the family and their life behind the castle walls — including fancy parties, political intrigue and secret romances.

About This Blog

Hi! My name is Hunter Ingram and I’m the film/TV reporter for StarNews Media. I will be the primary blogger for WilmonFilm, but other staffers, including Community Engagement Editor Jeff Hidek and freelance reporter Brian Tucker, are likely to contribute from time to time.

With this blog, I aim to be Southeastern North Carolina’s go-to source for all things film and TV. Wilmington and its surrounding areas are rich with intriguing projects, from the big-budget blockbusters to the small-scale, high-impact independent films. I will post everything from breaking news to offbeat features that will cover every facet of the entertainment news emerging from the area. So bookmark this page and be on the lookout every day for new posts!

While we may be hard at work reporting on the stories we get, we also want your tips, reactions and ideas. Got a story idea that is itching to be heard? E-mail or call me! Want to say something about a post? Leave a comment.